Carson City BBQ returns to 29th Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off

The award-winning ribs served up by Carson City BBQ are among the 22 entries for the 29th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off that begins this Wednesday, Aug. 30 and runs through Monday, Sept. 4 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks.

For barbecue fans, this not-to-miss barbecue competition featuring the best ribs in Nevada from rib cookers around the U.S. plus a, music and craft festival. The event is from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Admission, parking and entertainment are free.

“We’re so excited to welcome back 22 of the country’s best rib cookers to this year’s event,” said Nugget Vice President of Marketing, Bobbie Beuchat. “It’s their talent with sauces and rubs that make this one of the most prestigious BBQ competitions around!”

More than 240,000 pounds of ribs were served at the event in 2016. The wide variety of activities at the event, including a carnival area with rides and activities, a Beer Garden featuring craft beers, a huge arts and crafts festival and top-notch entertainment — not to mention the best barbecue in the country — all come together to draw hundreds of thousands of people to Victorian Square every extended Labor Day weekend.

Rib Cookers:
Twenty-two of the world’s most-decorated and talented rib cookers will feed event- goers, while competing for a total cash purse of $19,500 and the title of “Best in the West” – a designation many cookers consider to be the ultimate prize in high-volume, competitive barbecue.

Among those returning are Carson City BBQ, which will make its 20th appearance at the festival. Go here for a story last year about the barbecue and Carson City BBQ's touches, including using Butler Meats, also of Carson City.

Earlier this year, Carson City BBQ won awards at the San Juan Batista Rib cookoff. They took home first place for ribs, first place people's choice and second place with its sauce.

In 2016, Rasta Joe’s BBQ Inc., of Rochester, IN, took home the title of “Best in the West.” Second place went to Bone Daddy’s competitive barbecue team from Midland, MI, and Joey’s Texas Thunder, from Borger, TX, won 3rd place. The 2016 People’s Choice Award was claimed by Montana Q Bar-B-Que House, from Frenchtown, MT.

Along with Carson City BBQ, the 21 rib cookers making their return to the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off are Aussom Aussie BBQ Company (Pittsburgh, PA by way of Sydney, Australia); Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ (Burr Ridge, Illinois); Back Forty Texas Barbecue (Pleasant Hill, CA); The Barbecue Company (Phoenix, AZ); BJ’s Barbecue (Sparks, NV); Bone Daddy’s BBQ (Midland, MI); Bourbon Q (Westport, KY); Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ (Mt. Laurel, NJ); Checkered Pig BBQ (Martinsville, VA); Chicago BBQ Company (Burr Ridge, IL); Desperado’s BBQ & Rib Company (Hinckley, OH); Famous Dave’s BBQ (Plymouth, MN and Reno, NV); Hole in the Wall BBQ (Eugene, OR); Joey’s Texas Thunder BBQ (Borger, TX); Just North of Memphis (Minneapolis, MN); Kinder’s Custom Meats Inc. (Concord, CA); Montana Q Bar-B-Que (Frenchtown, Montana); Porky ‘N Beans (Port Saint Lucie, FL) Rasta Joe’s BBQ Inc. (Rochester, IN); Texas Outlaw Barbecue (Elizabethtown, KY) and Uncle Bub’s (Westmont, IL).

Entertainment:
The Nugget Casino Resort will welcome many talented musicians to be a big part of the celebration. All the entertainment is provided free-of-charge.

Main Stage Entertainment:
Wednesday, August 30th:
The Romantics – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 31st:
Night Ranger – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, September 1st:
Love & Theft – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 2nd:
Gin Blossoms – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 3rd:
Eric Paslay – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, September 4th:
A Flock of Seagulls – 3:00 p.m.

Plaza Stage Entertainment:
(Sponsored by Floor & Décor)

Wednesday, August 30th:
Bon Fire (Tribute to AC/DC) – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 31st:
Shades of Twain (Tribute to Shania Twain) – 6:00 p.m.

Friday, September 1st:
Boogie Nights (Classic Disco) – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 2nd:
Country Artists (Tribute to Kenny Chesney) – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 3rd:
Life in the Fastlane (Songs of the Eagles) – 6:00 p.m.

Monday, September 4th:
Ultimate Stones (Tribute to the Rolling Stones) – 1:00 p.m.

Shuttle Service:
For quick, convenient access, there will be two free shuttles to and from the event. In Sparks, you can park at the Iron Horse Shopping Center at 535 E. Prater Way. For those located near south Reno, the Reno Sparks Convention Center is offering another free shuttle in their parking lot on the corner of Coliseum Way and Peckham Lane. Shuttles run Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shuttles will take event goers to the RTC Centennial Plaza, near Victorian and 14th, just steps away from all the action!

Kids’ Area:
Children will delight in an array of rides and activities. The kids’ area will be located with craft vendors on the corner of 14th Street & Victorian Avenue, and will include games and exciting rides for kids of all ages. Ride tickets will be available for purchase just outside the kids’ area.

People’s Choice Award Voting
For the first time this year, voting for the People’s Choice Award will be held online! Attendees can vote for their favorite rib cookers by visiting the official Rib Cook Off website at www.nuggetribcookoff.com and then clicking on the “Vote Here” link. Voting begins on Wednesday, August 30th at 10:30 a.m. and ends on Sunday, September 3rd at 9:00 p.m. Participants may vote once per day, with a valid email address. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 4th at 2:00 pm on the Plaza Stage.

Get updates during the event at www.nuggetribcookoff.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nuggetribs and Twitter: @nuggetribs and Instagram: @nuggetribs
Use the official hashtag #NuggetRibs or #NuggetRibCookOff

For more information, visit NuggetRibCookOff.com and NuggetCasinoResort.com.